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(1) the loyal co-operation of Makea and her husband Ngamaru, and the powerful influence which their position in the group enabled them to exercise, Makea being Ariki of Avarua, the principal port and largest village in Earotonga, and a woman besides of great force of character, and Ngamaru being in his own right Lord Paramount of Atiu, Mauki, and Mitiaro ; (2) the presence of H.M.S. " Goldfinch," which, besides enabling Mr. Moss to pay his first visit to the various islands with ease and rapidity, lent dignity to the proceedings which took place during the visit, and reminded the natives of the power of England and of her consideration for the native races-which came under her influence. It is to be hoped that the laws recently passed will insure a firm and stable government, and that the tax on imports now to be imposed for the first time will produce a revenue sufficient to maintain the Executive, which is greatly necessary to perform the ordinary functions of government, and especially to keep the administration of the liquor law on its present satisfactory footing. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

No. 10. (No. 50.) My Loed,— Wellington, 14th July, 1891. I have the honour, at the request of the Premier, to forward herewith a copy of a letter which he has addressed to the Agent-General for this colony respecting the conveyance of poisons in vessels sailing from Great Britain to the colonies, and I venture respectfully to request your Lordship to apply to the proper authorities to take such steps as may be necessary to prevent the evil complained of. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &c. ONSLOW.

Enclosure. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 10th July, 1891. In the House of Bepresentatives, on the 7th instant, Mr. Pinkerton asked the Government " If they will take into consideration the question of poisons being carried on board ship, with the view of having casks, boxes, or jars containing poisons to be so marked as to plainly indicate the nature of their contents. Also, that all such casks, boxes, or jars be of such size and weight as to admit of easy handling." This question, it is presumed, had reference to a case which occurred towards the end of last year, when some arsenic got mixed with tapioca in the ship's hold. It was understood that the case containing the poison was inadvertently stowed among the cases of tapioca, and was accidentally damaged, so that the arsenic escaped during the voyage from England. I undertook to represent the matter to the Imperial authorities with a view to such steps being taken as might appear to be necessary to secure the greater care being taken in the shipping and conveyance of such commodities in the future, and I shall be obliged if you will bring the matter under the notice of the proper authorities with that object. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, Agent-General. J. Ballance.

No. 11. (No. 52.) My Lobd,— Wellington, 11th August, 1891. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a memorandum from the Premier, to which I would venture respectfully to draw your Lordship's attention. Yours Slc The Eight Hon. Lord Knutsford, &o. ONSLOW.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Premier presents his compliments to His Excellency, and begs respectfully to request that the notice of the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies may be drawn to the fact that in "The Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890," no provision appears to have been made for the appointment of officers, or declaration as to what officers shall exercise the like powers as were exercised by the officers of the Vice-Admiralty Court. The Act came into force in New Zealand on the Ist July, 1891, and the existing rules of the Vice-Admiralty Court, which are left alive by section 16 of the Act, require certain duties to be performed by a Marshal. The question therefore